FamilySearch support set an email today informing Family History Consultants that FamilyInsight and a version of Ancestral Quest that interfaces with the newFamilySearch API were now available.

It seems they were pre-mature in their announcement, because there is a message at the FamilyInsight (Ohana Software) web site that says that it is not available and there is no mention of the announcement at the Ancestral Quest web site.

It is my guess that some type of announcement was to be made at the BYU Family History conference this week and this announcement got sent out to soon. We will have to wait and see.

Gary TurnerIf you haven't already, please take a moment to review our newCode of Conduct

[/align]Certified Personal Ancestral File (PAF) add-ins are now available for FamilyInsight by Ohana Software and Ancestral Quest Version 12.1 by Incline Software. As explained in a previous communication to family history center directors and consultants, PAF users can only access, update, and sync their PAF databases at new.FamilySearch.org by using a FamilySearch genealogy management software program or related PAF add-in that is certified for these functions.The certified PAF add-ins will enable current PAF users to not only upload a PAF file, but to also sync with new.FamilySearch.org. Syncing will allow users to continually search, match, combine, and update their PAF file with new.FamilySearch.org. The installation of a PAF add-in will create a sub-menu item in the Tools menu with the name of the user’s selected PAF add-in (for example, Ancestral Quest or FamilyInsight). Clicking on the application will then allow the user to interface with new.FamilySearch.org. In addition to the new FamilySearch features, the add-ins provide other features that go beyond the capabilities of the standard PAF application. PAF users will save time when uploading data to new.FamilySearch.org and will have the option of working both online or offline from their PAF program. The PAF add-ins come with a free 60-day trial. That will help PAF users to easily upload and sync their current PAF file(s) with new.FamilySearch.org when it is available in their temple district. It is the best method to get existing PAF data into new.FamilySearch.org because it checks for possible duplication of information before uploading a PAF file. GEDCOM files can also be imported into PAF through the certified add-in and then migrated to new.FamilySearch.org. After 60 days, users can elect to pay a nominal fee for the PAF add-in to continue to receive all of the functionality of the Ancestral Quest or FamilyInsight software.PAF users interested in using a certified PAF add-in should contact the software manufacturers directly to learn more about product features, capabilities, free downloads, and installation.For FamilyInsight, go towww.ohanasoftware.com1-909-972-3017For Ancestral Quest go towww.ancquest.com1-801-280-4434 (Salt Lake City area)1-800-825-8864FamilySearch works with affiliate software companies to assist with the development of products and services that are compatible with FamilySearch Web Services. Patrons are encouraged to choose products that are FamilySearch certified.

Gary TurnerIf you haven't already, please take a moment to review our newCode of Conduct

RussellHltn wrote:I'd also add that given they were talking about PAF add-ins, they should have refereed to PAFWiz, not Ancestral Quest. AQ is a PAF replacement. Both PAFWiz and AQ can be found at the AQ website.

If you're willing to leave PAF behind, there are even more programs to choose from.

The newest version of Ancestral Quest (Version 12) will open and operate a PAF file without converting it to the Ancestral Quest format. That is one of its new features. I saw a presentation by Ancestral Quest on their new program and how it will soon sync with newFamilySearch and use a PAF file, see review.

From what I have heard, FamilyInsight and Ancestral Quest will be the first syncing programs available, Rootsmagic will probably be next after them.

Gary TurnerIf you haven't already, please take a moment to review our newCode of Conduct

RussellHltn wrote:Thanks for the correction. It sounds like PAFWiz won't be able to sync since it's not mentioned.

Do you know if you can call AQ from PAF? If not, then I would think it's a stretch to call it a "PAF add-in". More like "a program you can use to sync to nFS without abandoning PAF".

Last I knew, Legacy Standard Edition was the only personal database that could sync with nFS for free. Is that still true?

Yes, AQ will have a link in the Tools menu of PAF when installed with the PAF add on feature. When you open PAF and click on the AQ link in the PAF Tools menu, AQ will launch and load your PAF data into the AQ program. Any changes you make will be made to your PAF database and the format of the file will remain in the PAF format. To use the new nFS syncing feature you will have to have a nFS account. There will be some data stored in your PAF database as part of the syncing process that will not be visible inside PAF but the data will be stored there and accessable and viewable when you open the PAF file in AQ. Example: the nFS ID# for sync'd records will be stored in a field in the PAF database but there is no way inside PAF to see that number even though it will be there. This will also be the case in FamilyInsight, the nFS ID# will be added to the Individuals record in the PAF file but you will only see it when you open the PAF file in FamilyInsight.

I have not heard what Legacy plans to do as far as syncing with nFS or whether they will offer that full syncing function in the free version or not. If they do it would be great, even though to use legacy you have to import your data into legacy and stop using PAF, which is not a problem if that is the program with the options you like.

The good news is that there will now be several different ways to update nFS and you can choose the method that you like the best. In the beginning nFS will not allow partners to clear names for the Temple but you will be able to see ordinance dates and find records which need ordinances with these partner programs.

Gary TurnerIf you haven't already, please take a moment to review our newCode of Conduct

GarysTurn wrote:I have not heard what Legacy plans to do as far as syncing with nFS or whether they will offer that full syncing function in the free version or not.

They are both a current Web Services Affiliate and a Family History Center Affiliate. I called them a few months back and was told that a sync would be in their free version. I'm not sure if the Deluxe edition will add any features to the sync or not.

On Gary's own blog I noticed a professional genealogist commented on the sync and on NFS in general by saying:

I'll keep my bautiful, clean, and accurate PAF file as far away from NFS as I can. I'm only going to use NFS for it's primary purpose, submitting temple work. I'm not cleaning up my line, and all my relatives, just to let someone come in an merge and dispute and destroy all my good work. No thanks

Does anyone know if is actually possible for others to do the above with the work WE have submitted WITHOUT our consent?

I see massive potential and vision for NFS but I am hoping noone can alter my data without my consent.

dkjorgi wrote:Does anyone know if is actually possible for others to do with the work WE have submitted WITHOUT our consent?

Define the question, please.

If you have submitted the work to the temple, then it is locked. The only way for someone else to do it is to enter a duplicate record and ignore all warnings during the submission.

If you enter in data, and the icon appears that shows there's work to be done, then yes, someone else can submit it. No one "owns" the rights to any ancestors. They are supposed to check with the nearest living relative, but there's no way to enforce that.

It may help if you consider that you have an obligation to ensure that the work is done for your ancestors, but you do not have a right to do the work.

Have you searched the Wiki?
Try using a Google search by adding "site:tech.lds.org/wiki" to the search criteria.